Project Hail Mary is definitely one of the films I’m looking forward to in 2026. I haven’t read the book by Andy Weir, but I know it’s a favorite of my cousin’s. I’m a huge fan of The Martian, which is also based on a book by Weir and features a lone protagonist stuck in space on a mission to save humanity. I hadn’t read the book before watching the movie either, and honestly, I enjoy being surprised by the plot, so I tried to go in fresh as much as I could.

In the not-so-distant future, molecular biologist Dr. Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) wakes up from a coma on a spaceship. Gosling’s talent for physical comedy shines as Grace is completely erratic and struggling with amnesia, trying to escape from the robotic ‘assistant’ on board. He faces one shocking revelation after another, realizing that two of his crew members have passed away, leaving him as the only survivor, and that he’s light-years away in a far-off star system.

As Grace’s memory gradually comes back, we uncover his past and the world he’s left behind through flashbacks. We catch glimpses of his life as an overqualified middle-school teacher, a role he loves and clearly enjoys with his students. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, this film is marketed as a sci-fi comedy, and it definitely brings a lot of laughs. Drew Goddard adapted Weir’s novel for the screen, which makes perfect sense since he received an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Martian. The initial scenes of Grace trying to find his footing (sometimes literally) on the spacecraft are packed with hilarious moments; it’s a fantastic example of non-verbal storytelling that showcases the lead actor’s charisma.

Gosling gives one of his finest performances; I’d even argue it’s the best of his career from the roughly dozen films of his I’ve watched. Confession: there was a time when I wasn’t a huge fan of Gosling, but I’ve long recognized him as a talented and versatile actor, and that versatility shines through in this role. He manages to mix comedy with his dry humor while also showing real vulnerability, convincing us that he’s the scientific wunderkind and the only person who can save us all. Taking on the role of Grace is no easy feat since he’s on screen for about 99% of the time, often being the sole character present during the nearly 2.5-hour runtime. He’s obviously easy on the eyes (I mean, he is Barbie’s Ken after all), but what’s more crucial is that he has that ‘every man’ vibe, similar to Matt Damon and Tom Hanks, who have both portrayed the solitary hero so well in The Martian and Cast Away, respectively.

As impressive as Gosling was at carrying the film solo, I was a bit impatient waiting for his alien buddy that we caught a glimpse of in the trailer. But when that rock-shelled, vision-challenged, pentagonal, crab-like creature finally appeared, it was a total highlight; the energy in the theater shot up as we all felt the same mix of excitement and anxiety as Grace. I mean, we’ve seen plenty of sci-fi flicks where aliens come to attack us.

Grace dubs his new pal Rocky (a fitting name and a fun nod to Sly’s boxing franchise), and he somehow figures out how to communicate through musical notes. Grace’s computer translates Rocky’s speech, and there’s even a funny moment where they try to find a voice for Rocky (including a voice cameo from Meryl Streep). James Ortiz ends up being the voice for Rocky, and he’s also the puppeteer, which is just spot on. Props to legendary creature designer Neal Scanlan for the adorable character design of Rocky.

The film really hinges on the chemistry between Grace and Rocky. The movie is at its most enjoyable when the two are together, with Rocky effortlessly stealing the scenes. I adore the ‘dance sequence,’ Rocky being perplexed by a human hug, and when Grace teaches Rocky how to do a thumbs-up. It’s a real credit to the direction and the acting that we buy into their unexpected yet authentic connection.

Weir’s tale gives us a fascinating glimpse into alien life that we don’t often see in movies. Aliens are often depicted as wicked conquerors, benevolent saviors, or strange and unfathomable entities. In this case, Grace and Rocky meet as colleagues in the sci-fi realm, kind of like peers in their own distinct worlds. Rocky hails from Erid, a fictional planet based on a real star system (the 40 Eridani system). Both characters find themselves isolated during a crucial mission, feeling both drained and lonely. Their relationship grows as they share a common struggle and goal to rescue their respective planets.

The one word I’ve come across for the first time here is Astrophage, a microorganism that devours stars, specifically feeding on our sun and making it dim. Early on, we see Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller, in her first American film), the powerful head of a global task force, telling Grace that this sun dimming could lead to a disastrous global cooling in just 30 years. Some of the science and astrophysics stuff went over my head, but I find myself really engrossed in Grace’s various experiments and his sheer resourcefulness. Lord and Miller made the whole discovery process enjoyable and visually captivating, which is great because it could easily become really dull otherwise. The movie is visually and audibly impressive, all thanks to Greig Fraser‘s dazzling cinematography and Daniel Pemberton‘s music, which I would describe as soulful with a touch of whimsy. I appreciate how the music is toned down during key scenes, allowing us to fully absorb the moment without any distractions.

The movie’s shifting between past and present timelines can get a little discombobulating at times, which likely isn’t a problem in the book. But there are some really cool scenes, such as the bond between Grace and his assigned security guard Carl (Lionel Boyce) and the usually stoic Stratt belting out karaoke. In the book, Stratt is Dutch, but here she’s portrayed by the German actress Hüller, who is totally ruthless as she puts humanity’s survival above all else. By pushing Grace into a suicide mission, the film raises tough moral questions about the value of one life when an entire species is on the line. It’s a complicated question with no easy answer, but the movie doesn’t get too heavy about it; instead, it’s filled with a sense of wonder and the beauty of unexpected friendship.

The one quibble I have about Project Hail Mary is that it feels a tad too long. Thankfully, it’s a mostly engaging crowd-pleaser that makes me laugh and cry in equal measure. Even though there were some predictable parts, I was buoyed by its hopeful message. In an increasingly divisive world, there’s something quite radical about seeing how the power of friendship and teamwork can save our world and others, too. The title refers to a mission whose success is a long shot, but the movie is poised for a touchdown in terms of critical and box-office success.

Project Hail Mary is in theaters this Friday